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Joyce Carruthers Obituary
CARRUTHERS, Joyce (nee Schofield) Born May 31, 1937 in North Wales, UK. It is with the greatest sadness and shock that we announce the sudden passing of our mother on September 25th, 2010. Grannie Joyce will be lovingly remembered for her endless energy and spirit. Small in stature but large in life. She knew many and touched even more. A wife, mother and grandmother with a passion for natural landscapes, rare plants, rock gardens and adventure she travelled extensively in later life spending time in Karlik, Czech Republic and touring faraway places with her best friend Zdenek Zvolanek (aka ZZ). Her love of rock gardens and alpine plants matured with some significant works created in Colorado, Scotland and Denmark for all to enjoy. Editing journals and authoring plant related masterpieces demonstrated her devotion to correctness. Grannie Joyce is predeceased by her husband, Lester and her sister Renee. She is survived by two sisters, Alma Schofield and Mollie Evans (nee Schofield), her daughter Amanda Carruthers (John Ellis) and grandchildren Ffion and Evan, her daughter Zoe Strand (Alan) and grandchildren Keenan, Sinclair and Cooper and her son Philip Carruthers (Alison) and grandchildren Tegan, Tessni, Marin and Bryan. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. A gathering in her memory is planned October 8th at 1:30pm, McCall Bros. Funeral Home, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. A reception will follow the gathering. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity of your choice. 605440
Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Carruthers
30 Entries
Isobel O'Connell
February 3, 2011
Amanda, Zoe and Phillip: I have only just come across this book, and would have signed it sooner. When my parents told me of Joyce's death I was so shocked. It was wonderful to see all of you in October. Joyce always seemed invincible to me - a real force. Such a kind hearted women with so much to give and never expected anything return - a giver by nature (very hard to comeby). My parents and brothers have so many memories of Joyce. My own personal memories are sleepovers on Haultain Ave, tea at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver, skiing at Mt. Washington, visits to the coffee houses of Prague, looking for nettles in the forest, chasing the goose along Shelbourne Ave, waving to me as I ran by Mrs. Duke's house... There are so many stories. I will miss Joyce very much. I cherish the 21st birthday present she gave me when I visited her in Czech Republic. Rest in peace Joyce. God bless you and your families: Amanda, Zoe and Phillip.
Isobel O'Connell XO
November 19, 2010
Rest in peace Joyce, me and Peter have been thinking so much about u and also all ur children and granchildren and everybody you loved, we will miss your visits here in pwllheli and our cups of tea and cakes and long chats, and i will always treasure your gifts to me, all out love christine salisbury and Peter Gill xxxx
Auntie Joyce - The Alpine Angel In Bulgaria
Peter Gill
November 16, 2010
Sandra McCall
November 3, 2010
Zoe, Amanda and Phil,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. She was an amazing person and had a great sense of humour! She's probably up in heaven making sure that everthing is "just right!" My thoughts are with you all.
Sandra McCall
Peter Gill
October 27, 2010
Aunt Joyce was my rock. Her wisdom and understanding the difference between giving someone a hand up instead of a hand out changed my life for the better
I am so grateful
Joyce in Ottawa, 2003
Josie Pazdzior
October 25, 2010
October 25, 2010
What sad news for all who loved Joyce, which seems to be just about everyone who knew her. I feel privileged to have hosted Joyce in Ottawa in 2003 when she spoke to our Rock Garden Society, sharing her vast gardening experience, entertaining stories and zest for life. What a lovely woman!
Josie Pazdzior, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Adrian Young
October 13, 2010
Dear ZZ
A sad loss, so sorry.
So soon after Rex and I shared coffee and home made Jam tart with you and Joyce in your Kitchen.
Words cannot properly express this loss
With Best wishes
Ger & Mariet van den Beuken
October 10, 2010
This day the very sad news reached us about the death of Joyce Carruthers.
Our deepest symphaty is going to Zdenek Zvolanek and the family of Joyce.
We never will forget her.
Ger & Mariet van den Beuken
Jen McGarvie
October 8, 2010
Amanda, my deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your mom. My heart goes out to all of you. Take care.
Yvonne Rorison
October 7, 2010
I along with so many members of the gardening community in Victoria were deeply distressed to learn of Joyce's sudden and unexpected death.
She has contributed so much to so many people both here and abroad and will be greatly missed by all.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Joyce's family and to her very great friend ZZ.
Stephanie Ferguson
October 5, 2010
Joyce Carruthers was a gifted storyteller- she told wonderful tales of alpine adventure and misadventure. I shall sadly miss her and certainly never forget her.
Joyce and her niece Alison at Coed Glas Rd circa 1984
David Thomas
October 5, 2010
Like others who have commented we share the shock and sorrow expressed here and elsewhere on the news of the sudden and tragic death of Joyce. Les Thomas,my father, and Joyce's mother Joan were first cousins, and over the years there has always contact between the families. Some years ago my parents Les and Dulcie visited Canada and spend a memorable holiday with Joyce and her family.
Although we have not met, I still regard Joyce's family as part of our more widely spread family, and our thoughts and prayer go out to you.
One of the remarkable things about Joyce was that despite her many years in Canada she never lost her Caernarfon accent!
We have a picture of a younger Joyce, when she visited us in Cardiff, in about 1984, alongside her niece Alison.
We will always treasure her memory
David & Elizabeth Thomas
Harry Jans
October 4, 2010
To ZZ and all Joyce's family.
If I was struck by lightening, when I heard about the death of Joyce.
This morning, just by coincidence, I read an articled written by ZZ and he mentioned Joyce in it as they toured around in Bulgaria in search of alpines. That article brought back many happy memories when visiting them in Karlik.
Once, during a Discussion Weekend in Victoria, Joyce gave me her house to stay in for 10-days, on my own, as she was going away. That was Joyce, helping everyone and making people happy. Thank you Joyce, for being one of your friends, I will miss you.
Her family and closed friends has my deepest sympathy.
October 3, 2010
Amanda, Philip,& Zoe.
I was so sorry to hear of your Mum. I saw her just a few weeks ago and had a long talk with her. I have wonderful memories of her and Lester both when we were children and you and your families are very much in my thoughts.
David Screech.
Joyce demonstrating the proper way to plant crevicescrevice garden workshop. western winter study weekend, Victoria
Paul Spriggs
October 2, 2010
Paul Spriggs
October 2, 2010
I almost fell on the floor in shock when John sheridan announced Joyces' death at the club meeting (VIRAGS) last tuesday. Joyce lived just down the road from me and my garden holds many plants which she generously donated. it seemed every time i stopped in, I would leave with bags of cuttings, arm-loads of freshly dug bulbs and divisions, and seeds inevitably of the choicest plants around this part of the world. In particular, i have always cherished the white form of iris unguicularis that she gave me a few years ago. These plants seem all the more special now that she is gone. I am deeply saddened and feel great loss as joyce had always been a mentor to me, as to many.. My condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.
Tony Gill
October 1, 2010
Hedd perffaith hedd
Joyce
gan
Tony a Carys
xxx
Preparing for visitors at Karlik-2007
Elisabeth Zander
October 1, 2010
Joyce at Stonecrop -2008
Elisabeth Zander
October 1, 2010
Joyce in action at the rock garden-2008
Elisabeth Zander
October 1, 2010
Joyce at Karlik 2007
Elisabeth Zander
October 1, 2010
Joyce was a mother to rock gardeners everywhere. If we didn't know how, she willingly and with great patience and open arms showed us in detail. Her indomitable spirit made her small frame larger than life.
I first met her in Prague some years ago. She immediately took us under her wing with a superb chicken dinner and tour of the “Beauty Slope”. She and ZZ were off to see the cyclamen bloom in the woods of Moravia. Of course we should come too, and see some great rock gardens on the way back. Upon visiting my garden, she launched into teaching me crevice gardening with patience and skill. Tears fill my eyes as I think how much I will miss her.
Her family has our deepest sympathy.
Malcolm McGregor
October 1, 2010
ZZ and all Joyce's family. We were very shocked to hear of Joyce's death. She was always so full of life and had such a sense of fun. We will be thinking of you.
Ian and Ann Christie
October 1, 2010
Dear ZZ, our hearts are filled with sorrow when we heard about our friend Joyce, someone who will never be forgotten in the plants world she inspired us and many other alike. we send our sincere condolences to all her family.
Michael J Campbell
October 1, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Betty Davis
September 30, 2010
I am saddened to hear of her passing and she will be missed all over the world. Her sharing of knowledge and bountiful garden interests are legendary and have enhanced the lives of many gardeners.
Kim Tempest
September 30, 2010
Words never express the weight of what one feels in a time like this. Remember you are loved by so many. I would move the world and the moon for you if I could Zoe. Our condolences to you, Al, Keenan, Sinclair, Cooper, your siblings and their families and of course ZZ.
Sending you strength and love.
Kim, Dave, Kyra, Anthony and Arden
Panayoti Kelaidis
September 30, 2010
I am distressed and deeply saddened by this news: just a few weeks ago Joyce and ZZ were at my home, filling the rooms with laughter and good spirits. I am distressed and my eyes stream with tears to think I will not hear her lilting Welsh English again, and watch her as she darts here and there around my home and garden, cooking up a storm, cleaning up the rest of us tactfully, and brightening things up with her fairy grace. Oh Joyce! I will miss you...
Bob Resch
September 30, 2010
Joyce Carruthers and ZZ touched my life as electronic mail mentors in the development of a crevice garden in my northern Illinois garden. Her supportive comments and thoughts are valued deeply as I began this venture. I shall, into the future, think of this small garden as a memorial to her. Her passing brings sadness to my heart.
Maggi Young
September 30, 2010
All the many friends of Joyce and ZZ in the SRGC are distressed at this tragic loss. Our fond thoughts are with all her Family and Dear ZZ at this time. Sincere condolences from the Team of the International Rock Gardener for one who was a supreme IRG and a valued member of our team.
Maggi and Ian Young Scottish Rock Garden Club
September 30, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
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